Photo-Don Dixon

“…and then there was one “

One of the greatest bands to ever walk our stages and play with our hearts has been taking the final curtain – one by one.

Ricky Danko

Levon Helm

Richard Manual

This week – the heart of The Band –  Robbie Robertson

Left to carry the flag, Garth Hudson.

Very few artists can ever lay claim to changing popular music. Just a handful.

Then one day it hits you– hammers you actually.  You get total clarity and begin to change everything you’ve known and held sacred.   So it was when Eric Clapton heard The Bands Music from Big Pink.  It was like all of a sudden he heard this record and said to himself, “Now this is what music should sound like.” For me personally– this has always been one of the most interesting moments in rock music history.

My pal Corey called me just as I was finishing recording Saturday’s Stew. “Sorry to tell you this but Robbie’s gone”

He knew how special I thought Robbie Robertson was.

Dixie Down, Cripple Creek, I shall be Released, Chest Fever, King Harvest, Stage Fright, Acadian DriftwoodSomewhere down the crazy river. Once were brothers.

I had just enough time to finish The Stew with Once Were Brothers.

The last interview I did with Robbie will be repeated on the Mulligan Stew Podcast this week.

I promise there’ll be a Robbie Remembrance on The Stew shortly.

The only reason I got to stand in the Winterland Ballroom one Thanksgiving Evening in SF was because Robbie invited me to attend The Last Waltz.

Changed my life.

Lots of music this week..check out the playlist.

Somebody, please take care of Garth.

PLAYLIST: